The hike in bus fare by four, five and six paise per kilometer respectively for ordinary, deluxe and AC bus is irrational and unjustified, said Samajwadi Party State president Rabi Behera in a Press meet held here on Sunday.
Behera alleged that the Government has adopted automatic fare structure for bus fare hike or reduction dependent on fluctuation on fuel prices. If fuel price is hiked by Rs 2 per litre then bus fare is hiked by one paise per km, he said.
When the Government has decided not to collect increased toll fee and to review the Motor vehicle tax, hike in bus fare is unjustified, he added.
According to a release of the Private Bus Owners Association, the Government has taken 12 types of measures into consideration and had decided to go for a hike.
Behera threatened that if the Government does not roll back the bus fare hike automation structure the Samajwadi Party will lead a people’s movement in protest in the State.